OBITUARIES

Rodger Robbins

Aug. 23, 1939 — Nov. 28, 2020

In the company of his family, Rodger Robbins passed away at Doctors Memorial Center on Nov. 28 at the age of 81.

Rodger was born Aug. 23, 1939. He is survived by his children, Julie Ann Hinton,

Rodger Phillip Robbins Jr., Cheri Darlene Plant and Jack Daniel Robbins. To that list we add 12 grandchildren and 18 greatgrandchildren.

Many who know Rodger began our fellowship with him by recognizing his mechanical genius. He was a logger and general engineering contractor. Rodger regularly brought wrecked machines back to life, one time he bought one that was completely buried in mud in a landslide. He dug it out, cleaned it up and drove it for years. The author heard him brag that he could change a baby’s diaper with his backhoe. I was horrified at the thought but watching his supple skill on the hoe I had to conclude he was informing, not bragging.

Rodger was active in

Republican politics, Tea Party and the State of Jefferson. He loved America and its Constitution. To understand his dedication to repair and preserve it by participating in church and politics we must remember that he is first a visionary mechanic. No matter how broke it is, Rodger knew by experience that if he could get his hands on it he could fix it. So Rodger was a patriot who never gave in and never gave up on liberty despite how deeply it is buried in mud. Putting these facts about his life together is to know the passion of the life of our celebrated Rodger Robbins.

A celebration of life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at Calvary Chapel in Sonora. 1924 — 2020

Jay Skinner passed away Dec. 10 after living 96 full and colorful years.

As a young “Okie” boy, his family came west during the Great Depression in search of work. Jay eventually ended up in a Federal CCC work camp in Strawberry, where he helped build many trails in the Pinecrest area, including the outdoor movie theater stage. He then enlisted in the Navy during World War II, serving on two battleships, the first one sunk by a submarine attack, the second survived countless Kamakazi attacks. After the war, Jay came back to Tuolumne City where he worked in the lumber mill and married a local girl named Enis Feriani. Their marriage would last 69 wonderful years until her passing in 2017. Jay and Enis had two children, Pat and Dave. They began their adventure together opening a bar in downtown Tuolumne. Jay then worked on the West Side Logging Railroad, where he eventually became a timber faller when trucks replaced the outdated railroad system.

Jay was part of a generation that made improvements in Tuolumne. Because the old high school was outdated, they made signs and knocked on doors to pass a bond that built a new Summerville High School in 1964. He and his friends began a “Pee Wee” baseball league and also worked tirelessly to build a new ball field in downtown Tuolumne, now named Whitehead Field.

Jay began his own logging company in 1970, later expanding with a partner Ernie Muller, employing countless local Tuolumne loggers for over 20 years. Jay and Enis built a new home and settled into a retirement filled with gardening, travel and daily trips to the coffee shop.

Our family wishes to thank Jay’s caregivers, Carol Dobie and Barbara Sinkiewicz, who lovingly cared for both Jay and Enis so they could remain in their home until they passed. Services will be private. Memorial donations can be made to Tuolumne City Museum.

Novie C. Heppner

Feb. 4, 1938 — Dec. 8, 2020

Novie Cunningham Heppner was born Feb. 4, 1938, in Los Angeles. Prior to entering first grade, the family moved to Le Grand, Merced County, where her father could continue on the ranch raising cattle and turkeys.

Novie went to a private college in Illinois, San Jose State and Chapman colleges. While at Chapman College she graduated with a degree in social studies. She worked 30 years for the Merced Union High School District before retiring as a teacher’s aid. After retirement, she and her husband moved to Twain Harte where she was active in her church, AAUW (American Association of University Women), Sonora Lions, and Sonora Mountain Lions.

Novie loved to travel, especially through Europe, and visiting her pen pal that she began writing to while in grammar school. She always loved being around relatives and friends.

Novie married her husband, Dennis Heppner, on July 29, 1967. She is survived by Dennis, her son, Todd Heppner, and a brother and sister-in-law, Tim and Carlene Cunningham.

All arrangements will be private.

Notices

ALLEN — Weldon Eugene Allen, 91, died Monday, Dec. 7, at his home in Sonora. Sierra Cremation and Burial Service is handling arrangements.

ASXON — Charlene Axson, 59, died Sunday, Dec. 6, at her home in Sonora. Sierra Cremation and Burial Service is handling arrangements.

HALBERT — Judith A. Halbert, 86, of Sonora, died Thursday, Dec. 10, at Adventist Health Sonora. Sierra Cremation and Burial Service is handling arrangements.

HILLMAN — Mary Jane Hillman, 55, of Sonora, Died Saturday, Dec. 6, at Avalon Care Center in Sonora. Sierra Cremation and Burial Service is handling arrangements.

LAWSON — Karen L. Lawson, 66, died Friday, Dec. 4, at her home in Twain Harte. Sierra Cremation and Burial Service is handling arrangements.

LOW — Griffith V. Low, 72, of Mi-wuk Village, died Tuesday, Dec. 8, at Adventist Health Sonora. Sierra Cremation and Burial Service is handling arrangements.

MOYLE — Alice M. Moyle, 95, of Sonora, died Saturday, Dec. 5, at Sierra Care Center’s Unit 6 in Sonora. Sierra Cremation and Burial Service is handling arrangements.

SACKETT — Erin A. Sackett, 53, died Saturday, Dec. 5, at her home in Groveland. Sierra Cremation and Burial Service is handling arrangements.

SPEARS — Cheryl Spears, 74, of Sonora, died Monday, Dec. 7, at Sonora Senior Care. Sierra Cremation and Burial Service is handling arrangements.

WILLIAMS — Larry E. Williams, 73, of Sonora, died Tuesday, Dec. 8, at Adventist Health Sonora. Sierra Cremation and Burial Service is handling arrangements.